Category Archives: Author Thursdays

NaNo November: 50k in a Day Challenge?

by in Author Thursdays, NaNoWriMo and tagged

 

Of Ducks and Writing

Word count for The Day the Computer Stood Still: 15,554

Are you worthy?
Are you dedicated?
Are you crazy?
Are you competitive?
Are you lazy?

Ever heard about the 50k in a day challenge? It is just what it says, write the whole book in a day! Or just 50k in a day and then keep writing for the rest of the month. I know there are people crazy enough out there to do it, are you one of them?

NaNo November: What is Your Book’s Reading Level (Reliability Analysis)

by in Author Thursdays, NaNoWriMo
Of Ducks and Writing

I have heard that these programs aren’t very reliable (ironic!) but here is one where you can test the reading level of your book/chapter/writing. It bases the level off of several factors, which at first are a bit of a slog to comprehend but at least this will provide one analysis, which may give you at least an approximation of where you are at. This is more important for a book geared toward younger readers (publishers want to know this type of information!) and it could help you in making sure your picture book or young reader is reading level appropriate for you target audience. (Keep in mind it may not be completely accurate though)

reliability analysis- program to find reading level of your book: http://www.readabilityformulas.com/free-readability-formula-tests.php

NaNo November: FreeValley Publishing Meet the Authors Event – Save the Date!

by in Author Thursdays, Free Valley Publishing, Local Authors, NaNoWriMo

Of Ducks and Writing

Reblogged from Freevalley Publishing:

FreeValley Publishing authors will be hosted by SnoValley Writes! at an official King County Library System event as part of their NaNoWriMo programs on November 26th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the North Bend Library Meeting Room.
This will be a unique opportunity to hear each author speak about their writing and publishing journeys and to ask your questions and get first-hand answers in dialogue with Snoqualmie Valley local authors. Most of our authors created their published manuscripts during NaNoWriMo, so if you’re a Wrimo, come and be inspired! The event is free and open to everyone. It promises to be a lively evening, and we look forward to talking with you!

NaNo November: Writing Buddy

by in Author Thursdays, NaNoWriMo


Of Ducks and Writing
4519 words and counting!


I‘m looking for a writing buddy for nano and beyond:

Recommended requirements include: 

1. Similar project and goals (fiction, young adult, fantasy, etc) and (finishing, editing, publication)
2. Must have motivation and accountability
3. Should be in a similar life stage

4. Preferability female

Author Thursdays: NaNoWriMo November

by in Author Thursdays, Maple Valley Writers, NaNoWriMo and tagged

Dear readers,

   As of today and throughout the entirety of November, rachel-barnard.blogpost.com will concentrate on the joys, triumphs, tips, sufferings, braggings of National Novel Writing Month aka NaNoWriMo instead of following the usual format of daily themed posts.

What is NaNoWriMo?

From Nanowrimo.org the official website for national novel writing month: “Nanowrimo is an annual event (November) novel writing project that brings together professional and amateur writers from all over the world.”

Check out your local region’s events for NaNo near you!

For Maple Valley, where I will be doing the majority of my writing, check out our calendar of events

My personal novel: The Day the Computer Stood Still

The federal supercomputer was meant to catch felons but fell in love instead. How can there be peace when humanity’s watchdog is surfing dating sites instead of capturing criminals?

Author Thursdays: Writing Exercise – I Like to Do it in Groups

by in Author Thursdays


I like to do it in groups*


“1, 2, 3” Riz said as he stuffed first one, then a second and finally a third plump marshmallow in succession into his mouth. “Four. Five. Fix” He continued, shoving them in.
“You’ll never make it.” Jerry stated, his arms crossed as he watched Riz reach into the open bag of mallows.
“Fuf Waf Me.” Riz revealed creamy snowmen teeth. He found another and was able to cram it into his grin.
“Hey Riz. Poopsicles!” Cried Jerry.
Marshmallows flew like bullets as Riz began to laugh, the ends of his mouth crinkling up enough to let the horde of sticky mallows loose.
“Aw, man!” Wailed Riz.
“Told you so.” Crowed Jerry. “Watch a pro. I like to do it in groups. You can get more in that way.”
With the air of an expert Jerry grabbed two of the marshmallows and popped them into his mouth, savoring the sugary coating as he scrunched the two as far back as he could without swallowing.
Jerry gave a wink at Riz and grabbed two more and popped those in as well.
“You gotta get 8 to beat me.” Riz reminded Jerry.
Jerry did not even bat an eye but grabbed marshmallows number five and six. In they went but there was almost no space left.
A trickle of sweat beaded on Jerry’s forehead and made its way down into his mouth, mixing salt and sweet together. Jerry paid no attention but grabbed another grouping of marshmallows. This time he held three. His eyes narrowed and he lined up the mallows with his mouth and then half chomped them in and half pushed them in until his lips barely contained the new additions to his collection.
“Aha” He cried triumphantly, the sound echoing from somewhere distant inside his mouth. He had done it! 9 marshmallows.
“Ya gotta finish.” Riz cajoled before cries of “Do it! Do it! Do it!” He pounded a fist in the air. Cheering on his friend. He had wanted to win but seeing his friend trying to chew while 9 air-puffed mallows sifted around inside was winning enough.

Jerry managed to find a mallow with his teeth and bit down, the others shlooping to fill up all the empty space left, which wasn’t much and his eyes teared a bit as it took everything he had to keep from spilling them all out again. Slowly but surely, Jerry found more room to chew and his saliva melted down the mallows enough so that he was able to finally lick the last bit of goo from the roof of his mouth in triumph.


*From a SnoValley Writes Workshop